Paddle dyeing machine



Ma 26, 1970 J. MCON ET AL 3,513,672

PADDLE DYEING MACHINE Fi1ed May 28. 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN I. MCON 2 F'o 5 o AMUEL H. HUFFSTELER United States Patent Office 3,513,672 PADDLE DYEIN G MACHINE John 1. Macon, 2107 Guyer St., High Point, N.C. 27260, and Samuel H. Hufistetler 435 Oakland Drive, Burlngton, N.C. 27215 Filed May 28, 1968, Ser. N0. 732,703 Int. Cl. D06f 37/26 U.S. Cl. 68-210 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A paddle dyein-g device has a cylindrical tank which pivots in its entirety about pivot points located on one side thereof, and through which service lines for steam and water pass into the tank. Through this structure and associated parts it is possible to eliminate the tilting cage by tilting the entire tank, with a minimum use of external flexible fluid lines. An integral false bottom facilitates removal of the textile material which has been dyed, and permits circulation and mixing of the fluids to which the textile material is exposed during dyeing.

Ihis invention relates to dyeing apparatus employing a tank which is tiltable in its entirety about pivot points 10- cated on one side thereof, and which emplys improved associated structural features.

Heretofore, tilting cage structures have been employed both vvith open and closed top dyeing vats. Such a devce is illustrated in connection With open top vats in United States Letters Patent No. 3,347,067, issued Oct. 17, 1967, to Thomas Berry. Such devices require a tank With a separate cage structure. The cage structure often becomes Warped, since it is constructed of perforated material which must be moved separately from the tan-k. If such structure is employed in closed top vats, there is a difiicult sealing problem, and the problems normally inherent in such structures are aggravad.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide an improved paddle dyeing machine which makes possible the removal of the dyed goods through tilting, but which 'eliminates the tilting cage.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a paddle dyeing apparatus having a tank which is tiltable in its entirety, and yet avoids the use of flexible fluid supply lines for servicng the tank With steam, chemicals, dye and water.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an integral false bottom which is of such configuration as to facilitate removal of the dyed goods. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved vat dyeing apparatus having relatively few but effective sealing means which reduce maintenance and have less propensity for leaking.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a dyeing apparatus which may be efiectively operated with its contents under pressure.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specificafion and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, where in an example of the invention is shown and Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrafing a paddle dyeing apparatus constructed in accordance With the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation illustrating the tank of the -dyeing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in raised position With parts broken away,

FIG. 3 -is an enlarged side elevation illustrating the 3,513,672 Patented May 26, 1970 pivotal connection between the tank and the frame of the devioe illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line M in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the dyeing apparatus constructed in accordance With the present invention, with parts broken away, and

FIG. 6 is a schematic hydraulic and electrical diagram illustrating the power supply for the drive, valves and hydraulic operating mechanisms.

The drawings illustrate a paddle dyeing machine for textile goods including an elongated support A. An elongated cylindrical tank B carries an elongated driven paddle assembly C for rotation within the tank. A foraminous basket or false bottom D is carried within the tank in spaced fixed relation to the bottom portion of the tank. A pivotal mounting E is disp0sed torwardly of the paddle assembly connecting the entire tank to a front portion of the support for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis. An opening is provided in the top of said tank for loading and unloading textile goods into and from the tank. A fluid inlet is provided within the tank opening beneath the foraminous bottom D and a fluid outlet opening is provided within said tank beneath the foraminous bottom. A fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston assembly F is connected to said tank rearwardly of the pivotal mounting. Thus, the tank and the foraminous bottom carried therein, as well as the paddle assembly, may be tilted about the pivotal mounting for unloading textile goods from said tank.

The elongated support A includes a pair of spaced transverse base members 10- which carry side frame members 11. The side frame members 11 are bridged by spaced longitudinal front members 12 and 13, and by corresponding back members 12a and 13a. The side members 11 each include an upper horizontal transverse member 11a which support a rectangular frame 14 which carries the cylindrical tank or vat B. The tank B carries an elongated driven paddle assembly C for rotation above the forami nous bottom D.

The pivotal mounting E includes a bracket 15 carried by each side frame member 11 adjacent the transverse front member 12. Each bracket 15 includes a transverse vertical portion 15a and an L-shaped base 15b. The base 15b and part of the vertical portion 15a are secured to the side frame members 11 as by welding (not shown). A hollow pin is provided, adjacent one side frame member 11, in the form of a pipe 16 which carries a sleeve 17 rotatable within the bushing 18 (FIGS. l, 3, 4 and 5 The pipe 16 is connected to a suitable source of steam (not shown).

Adjacent the opposite side of the tank a downturned water nozzle 19 within the tank is supplied through a hollow pin or pipe 20 which passes through the adjacent bracket 15 in a similar manner (FIGS. 1 and 5). The line 20 is connected to a source of water (not shown) A fitting 21 is connected to the pipe 16 within the tank for distributing the steam downwardly through a vertical length of pipe 22, to a horizontal pipe 23, and thence to the central portion of the tank. The length of the pipe 23 is connected to a T fitting 24 which supplies steam to horizontal distribution pipes 25 which extend substantially across the tank B. A plurality of spaced holes 25a distributes steam evenly across the bottom of the tank 13, as will be described in greater detail below. Since the pipes 16 and 20 are above liquid level stress corrosion is avoided.

The tank B includes a lower cylindrical portion 26 which includes a curved central portion 26a and spaced end Walls 26b and 265. The rectangular frame 14 defines the upper edge of the lower portion of the tank B. A

plurality of transverse spaced cylindrical supports 27 are carried by the frame 14. Each of the support members 27 have opposed recessed portion 27a which serve as trackways for the closure members 28. The closure members 28 form a part of the closure assembly which includes a bar 29, carried by brackets 30, extending across the closure members 28. An operating lever 31 is carried at each end of the bar 29. The bar 29 slides within a slot 31a provided at each upper end of levers 31. As will be observed in greater detail below, the operating levers may be moved down to close the front portion of the tank B.

The paddle assembly C includes a longitudinal shaft 32 which is suitably journalled within the end walls 26b and 260 of the tank as at 33. The paddle assembly C includes spaced transverse support dises 34 which permit transverse braces 2712 to be accommodated therebetween. The dises 34 carry spaced paddle blades 35. The paddle assembly is driven as by the motor M which has suitable mounting upon the frame 14.

The foraminous bottom D is carried within the tank in spaced fixed relation to the bottom portion of the tank. Preferably, the marginal portions of the false bottom D are secured to the inner walls of the tank as by welding (mot shown), although the foraminous bottom may be suitably fixed in relation to the tank during the dyeing operation by any other suitable means. The false bottom D (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes a substantially fiat portion 36 which extends rearwardly from adjacent the pivotal mounting E, and is inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal, when in raised position, to facilitate unloading of the treated textile goods. A curved portion 36a continues about the bottom of the tank B. It will be observed that the distribution pipes 25 pass beneath the foraminous bottom D 50 as to be disposed between the foraminous bottom and the tank to facilitate mixing of the steam With the dye bath so that the goods to be treated will not be directl} exposed to the action of live steam.

The fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston assemblies F, preferably one being positioned on each side of the tank B, are each connected between a base bracket 37 carried by the support A and an upper bracket 38 carried by the rectangular tank frame 14. Each assembly includes a cylinder 39 which carries a piston rod 40 connected to a piston 40a. The cylinder 39 has pivotal mounting as at 41, and the piston rod 40 has pivotal mounting as at 42. Preferably, the fluid pressure operating means is hydraulic fluid serviced at respective ends of the cylinder 39 through the limes 43 and 44.

A counterbalance valve 39a is used on the bottom of each of the cylinders 39. Such valve permits fluid to be exhausted therethrough for lowering the tank B only when pressure is exerted thereon by the piston 40a above the pressure which would be exerted by the weight of the tank. Thus, the tank B may be lowered by pumping it down and in case of hydraulic failure would not fall. The valve 39a is supplied by Vickers, Inc., No. RCO3 BllO. The valve 3% is a flow control valve insuring equal pressures at the top of the cylinders.

A front closure assembly having closures 28 was described in connection With the upper front portion of the tank B. A similar back closure assembly 45 is operated in a similar manner by the operating levers 46. The front closure assembly is operated through a cylinder and piston assembly 47, preferably one at each end of the tank, while the back closure assembly 45 is operated through the cylinder and piston assemblies 48 at each end of the tank. In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings the front closure assembly is shown in open position With the back closure assembly closed. When the front closure assembly is in open position as shown in FIG. 1, unloading of the vat is facilitated. The vat may be loaded from the rear when the back closure is open and the tank in lowered position cleaning of the tank is facilitated.

Preferably, the tank B is constructed With the closure means illustrated, and such tends to confine the steam and 4 facilitate the dyeing operation. With slight modifications the apparatus may be adapted to operate under pressure. The ends of the tank may be dished outwardly to better accommodate the pressure and seals provided for the edges of the closure assemblies where needed. It will be observed that the closure members 28 are carried in internal trackways 27a and are thus adapted to resist outward forces. It has been found that through operating under pressure the temperature may be raised in reduced dyeing time and more utilization of chemicals and dyes.

Referring now especially to FIGS. l, 2, 5 and 6, it will be observed that the fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston assembly F is controlled through the lever 50 for raising and lowering the tank B. The lever 51 controls the cylinder 52 for opening and closing the drainage valve 53 which has connection With the tank B beneath the foraminous bottom D. A control lever 54 operates the back closure assembly through the cylinder and piston assemblies 48, while the lever 55 operates the front closure assembly through the cylinder and piston assemblies 47.

It will be observed by reference to FIG. 6 that an oil reservoir 56 supplies oil which is pumped under pressure by the pump 57 through the pressure regulator valve 58 to the control station 59. The pump is driven by a pump motor 60 supplied With electrical energy by closing the switch 61 by depressing the button 61a carried upon the box 62 (sec FIG. 1). The box 62 also carries the cycle reversing and jogging circuit as illustrated schematically in FIG. 6 at 63. The motor M is driven through such circuitry.

The cycle reversing and jogging circuit includes a two speed switch control 64 for the motor M, as well as a jogging reverse control 65 therefor. The switch control 66 when in one position permits the motor M to be energized so as to drive the paddle wheel in one direction With an alternate position which permits automatic reversing of the direction of the paddle assembly C. A jogging forward control 67 is also included, together With the other motor controls mentioned above in the cycle reversing and jogging circuit. The circuitry actuated by the control 66 when placed in automatic position includes a magnetic switch and timer. The jogging circuitry permits the paddle assembly to be moved small amounts in either direction as for the purpose of disentangling treated goods.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific ter-ms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A paddle dyeing machine for textile goods including, an elongated support, an elongated tank, an elongated driven paddle assembly carried for rotation within the tank, a foraminous bottom carried within the tank in spaced fixed relation to the bottom portion of the tank, a pivotal mounting disposed forwardly of said paddle assembly connecting the entire tank to a front portion of the support for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis, said tank having an opening in the top thereof for loading and unloading textile goods into and from the tank, a fluid inlet within said tank opening beneath the foraminous bottom, a fluid outlet opening within said tank beneath the foraminous bottom, and a fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston assembly connected to said tank rearwardly of said pivotal mounting, whereby said tank and the foraminous bottom carried therein as well as the paddle assembly may be tilted about said pivotal mounting for unloading textile goods from said tank.

2. The paddle dyeing machine set forth in claim 1, wherein said foraminous bottom includes, a substantially fiat portion extending rearwardly from adjacent the pivotal mounting and inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal when in raised position to facilitate unloading of treated textile goods.

3. The paddle dyeing machine set forth in claim 1,

Wherein said pivotal mounting includes, a hollow pivot pin carried by said support, an external fluid connection communicafing with said pin, and an internal fluid connection communicating between said pin and said tank.

4. The paddle dyeing machine set forth in claim 3, wherein said pivotalmounting includes, a plurality of spaced hollow pivot pins, and wherein an extemal water connection and an external steam connection communL cate with respective pins.

5. The paddle dyeing machine set forth in claim 4, including an internal connection communicafifig between said pin having said steam connection and extending within said tank beneath said foraminous bottom.

6. The paddle dyeing machine set: forth claim 1, wherein said tank is cylindrical, said fluid pressure is hydraulic pressure, and wherein said tank inludes hydraulically operated closure means covering said opening,

'whereby said machine may be operated with its contents under pressure.

7. The paddle dyeing machine set forth in claim 1, wherein said fluid pressure is hydraulic pressure, and wherein a counterbalance valve is interposed in said fluid pressure assembly, whereby said tank, foraminous bottom and paddle assembly when in tilted position may not fall in the event of pressure failure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,347,067 10/ 1967 Berry 68-210 XR 3,368,278 2/1968 Opie 68-210 XR 3,417,583 12/1968 Hutterer 68210 ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

